RCB, Starc part ways on eve of IPL auction

The Royal Challengers Bangalore and Australia paceman Mitchell Starc are set to "discontinue their association" for the upcoming season of the Indian Premier League (IPL), the tournament's official Twitter page announced on Sunday (February 19). The left-arm paceman will not be up for grabs at the auction and will instead focus on international commitments.

"Mitch has had a very big summer, bowling a high number of balls, and has managed extremely well considering the less than ideal preparation he had leading into the season with his left leg injury," Pat Howard, Cricket Australia Executive General Manager, said. "He still has a large workload to get through in the next six months with four Tests against India and then the ICC Champions Trophy after the player leave period in May.

"Following discussions with both Mitch, Royal Challengers Bangalore and our own medical staff it has been agreed that Mitch would benefit considerably from a break in cricket to allow him to fully rehabilitate and strengthen his body ahead of the Champions Trophy."

Starc said: "At this point in time after a long summer and with a big tour of India still ahead, I think it is in my best interests, both physically and mentally, for me to have a break, spend time with my family and take the opportunity to work on getting back to full fitness.

"I have thoroughly enjoyed my time with Bangalore and I certainly hope to be back playing for them in the future and wish them all the best in this years IPL."

Starc, who missed the previous edition of the IPL due to injury, has been associated with the Bangalore-based franchise ever since 2014, when he was bought for INR five crore. Deciding to mutually part ways a day before the auction, Bangalore will go into the event with an additional purse of INR 5 crore along with an extra slot for an overseas player.

The lanky paceman was RCB's knight in shining armour in the bowling department in the eighth edition of the IPL, picking up 20 wickets in 13 games with an average of 14.55 and playing a vital part in determining the team's fortunes as they finished third in the tournament. They bowed out of the season after losing in the second Qualifier against Chennai Super Kings. In his first season with the franchise, he had 14 wickets in as many games.

Australia currently are in India for a four-match Test series, where Starc is expected to play a vital role in the fortunes of their campaign, although he had little success the last time he played two Tests in 2013, picking up just two wickets. Also, with the impending Champions Trophy, protecting the paceman, who has in the past been susceptible to breakdowns, might not be the worst of ideas.